- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Heavy Rain Hits Metro Atlanta
Gusty winds and tornado watch in effect as storm system moves through
Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:26pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A strong storm system is bringing heavy rain, gusty winds, and the potential for tornadoes to the metro Atlanta area on Thursday morning. The rain is expected to taper off by late morning, but wind gusts up to 35 mph could continue throughout the day. Several school districts have delayed openings due to the weather.
Why it matters
Severe weather can disrupt commutes, cause power outages, and pose risks to public safety. The tornado watch and high wind gusts also indicate the potential for more serious storm impacts in the region.
The details
The heavy rain has already dropped over an inch in parts of metro Atlanta, with an additional quarter to half inch possible before the rain ends around 10 a.m. Butts and Newton counties are under a tornado watch until 9 a.m. Several school districts, including Rockdale, Meriwether, and Troup County, are operating on a two-hour delay due to the weather.
- The heavy rain began moving through metro Atlanta early Thursday morning.
- The rain is expected to taper off by late morning, around 10 a.m.
- The tornado watch is in effect until 9 a.m. for Butts and Newton counties.
- Afternoon temperatures are expected to reach the mid-50s, with lows dropping into the upper 30s overnight.
The players
Christina Edwards
WSB Radio meteorologist who provided updates on the storm system.
What they’re saying
“Wind gusts could reach 30 to 35 miles per hour.”
— Christina Edwards, Meteorologist (WSB Radio)
What’s next
The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the storm system and issue any necessary severe weather warnings or updates throughout the day.
The takeaway
This storm serves as a reminder for residents in the metro Atlanta area to stay weather-aware and prepared for potential disruptions to their daily routines due to heavy rain, high winds, and the possibility of tornadoes.
Atlanta top stories
Atlanta events
Mar. 13, 2026
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Touring)Mar. 13, 2026
Sticky Fingers - Live in North AmericaMar. 13, 2026
94.9 The Bull Presents Dustin Lynch




